Focus on retention
Real estate promoter, RC Tirupur Pride, RID 3203
He was introduced to Rotary by his friend PDG A Karthikeyan in 2007. Dhanasekar aims to increase membership by 1,200 this year, having already achieved 50 per cent of this goal. He emphasises that club presidents must share project stories and anecdotes with others, and keep potential members regularly updated about their service initiatives, fellowship events and global meets.
For member retention, a special programme was organised to honour senior Rotarians with over 25 years of service. “This recognition has led to renewed enthusiasm among senior members, motivating them to become more active and engaged,” he says.
Integrating women into the all-men’s clubs remains a challenge. To address this issue, the district is studying the barriers and has launched all-women Rotary clubs, “which women find easier to join,” he says. The district has also expanded its footprint with the launch of 15 new Rotaract and 100 new Interact clubs. For TRF-giving, his target is $2 million. As on July 1, 2025, there are 15 AKS members and 150 Major Donors in the district. The DG was “thrilled to host TRF trustee chair Holger Knaack, a major highlight of the year.”
The district plans to establish six new crematoriums and four old age homes, partnering with Lux Industries, Prithvi International and other CSR partners, he adds.
Fellowship is the key
Construction, RC Ichalkaranji Executive, RID 3170
A Rotarian since 1997, Bhandare believes that “fellowship is key to strengthening membership and boosting retention.” This year, the district has launched fellowship tours to places such as Vietnam, Kerala, Rameswaram, Goa, Dandeli and Bali. Participants on these tours receive a special incentive: the district contributes $24 to TRF in their names, and an additional $24 to each family member who joins. He is also promoting the Rotary Family Friendship Exchange, with seven inter-district programmes in India and three international exchanges.
He aims to raise the membership from 488 to 1,000 by “highlighting friendship, fellowship, and the power of like-minded individuals coming together.” He is also trying to bring in new members from diverse professions. The district has so far chartered 62 Rotaract and 16 Interact clubs.
His TRF-giving target is at $1.3 million including $50,000 to Polio Fund ($42,000 has been achieved). Another $50,000 for environmental initiatives, which will be matched by the Ravi Shankar Dakoju Environment Endowment Fund.
To enhance Rotary’s public image, the district is hosting walkathons, marathons and car rallies, including the Rotary Run (formerly Goa Marathon) and the upcoming Gokaka Half-Marathon, featuring personalities like cricketer Priyanka Patel, the Mysore and Baroda Maharajas, PT Usha, and Colonel Sofiya Qureshi.
Boosting membership
Civil engineer, RC Kumbakonam East, RID 2981
Introduced to Rotary in 1999 by his friend PDG Ramesh Babu, he was inspired by “the organisation’s effort in community service.” He aims to increase district membership by 20 per cent, adding 1,000 members to the existing count of 5,868, bringing the total close to 7,000.
New members must attend at least two out of four monthly meetings and take on leadership roles as project chairs or co-chairs. Members relocating to new cities or districts are assisted in joining Rotary in their new places, ensuring a smooth transition and continued engagement. The district has chartered six new clubs. All clubs are required to start both a Rotaract and an Interact club. Leone acknowledges that DEI progress is slower in India compared to other countries. He is all for encouraging members to “think about diversity, inclusion and engagement in open discussions, as acceptance is still a gradual process.”
His TRF-giving target is $1 million, including $800,000 for the Annual Fund and $200,000 for the Polio Fund. So far, $40,000 has been contributed towards polio.
Some CSR projects include providing solar panels to the Rotary School in Mayiladuthurai in association with the NLC, partnering with the ONGC to enhance infrastructure, installing RO water purifiers in a government school in Chidambaram, and donating 300 sewing machines in Puducherry through Martin Foundation, Coimbatore.
Saving lives through CPR
Doctor, RC Kakinada, RID 3020
His Rotary journey began in 2006–07 with a GSE trip to Atlanta, US, where he gained a deep appreciation of cultures and Rotary’s values. He joined Rotary on return and hosted visiting GSE teams. He also led a VTT team to Nigeria in 2016–17, performing 400 surgeries in just four days.
With 4,200 members in the district, which has one of the largest clubs, RC Vijayawada Midtown with 800 members, he aims to reach 5,000 members by the year-end. Over 50 per cent of district office-bearers are women this year. The district plans to host an exclusive meet for women to boost their membership. He is also exploring the inclusion of transgender members in existing clubs and RCCs. His TRF goal is to raise more than the $1.5 million by increasing the participation of members from the present 13 to 30 per cent.
CPR training programme is close to his heart, as he was moved by the deaths of a school child and a friend who lost their lives as no one knew CPR at that time. In partnership with the Indian Society for Anaesthesia, Indian Medical Association and Indian Society for Critical Care Medicine, the CPR sessions will train 10,000 students and Rotarians. Other key initiatives include HPV vaccination camps with 2,500 girls benefitted so far.